Ray
/reɪ/
Definitions
3 meaningsA narrow beam of light or other radiation.
/reɪ/
A beam of light.
The sun's rays were warm on the beach.
💡 Simply: Imagine the sunshine! A ray is like a line of light that comes from something bright, like the sun or a flashlight. It's how we see things!
👶 For kids: A ray is like a line of light from the sun or a lamp.
More Examples
We could see the rays of the headlights in the fog.
A powerful laser emits a thin ray of light.
How It's Used
"The sun's rays warmed the earth."
"Scientists studied the rays emitted by distant galaxies."
A line extending from a point.
/reɪ/
A line extending from a center.
A circle has many rays extending from its center.
💡 Simply: Think of a line that starts at one spot but goes on and on forever in a single direction. Like a path that never ends!
👶 For kids: A ray is like a line that goes on and on from a starting point.
More Examples
The starfish had five rays.
The angle between the rays determines the shape of the area.
How It's Used
"A ray has one endpoint and extends infinitely in one direction."
"The stingray's fins are made of bony rays."
A marine fish with a flattened body and large, wing-like pectoral fins.
/reɪ/
A type of fish.
The aquarium featured a variety of different rays.
💡 Simply: Imagine a flat, cool fish that swims in the ocean. It has big flappy sides, kind of like wings. That's a ray!
👶 For kids: A ray is a flat fish that swims in the ocean, kind of like a pancake with wings.
More Examples
The diver was amazed by the size of the manta ray.
Stingrays are known for their venomous barbs.
How It's Used
"The diver encountered a manta ray in the open ocean."
"Rays are known for their flattened bodies and cartilaginous skeletons."
Idioms & expressions
a ray of hope
A small sign of encouragement or promise in a difficult situation.
"The discovery of a new treatment offered a ray of hope to cancer patients."
radio ray
A beam of electromagnetic radiation
"The scientist detected radio rays from the far side of the galaxy."
From Old French rai, from Latin radius ('rod, spoke, beam').
Used since Middle English, reflecting the importance of light in daily life and religious symbolism.